By correspondent in Minna.
Mohammed Umsr Bago.
Governor of Niger state.
Niger State will storm the 22nd edition of the National Sports Festival (NSF) in Ogun State with a 100-man contingent, comprising athletes, coaches, and officials, in what promises to be a determined quest for medals and glory.
This was revealed by the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Alhaji Yahaya Ibrahim Gulbin-Boka, when officials of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) paid him a courtesy visit in his office to get updates on the state’s level of preparedness for the national event.
Gulbin-Boka said the team, which has been preparing diligently for the prestigious sports gathering, will compete in 13 different sports including athletics, lawn tennis, squash, scrabble, table tennis, badminton, taekwondo, and handball, among others.
“I can confirm to you that we have ready on stand-by a 100-man contingent, including coaches and officials to represent Niger State at Ogun 2025,” the Commissioner said.
“We performed credibly well at the zonal eliminations held in Jos, Plateau State, and we are confident of a strong outing at the main event.
“The contingent is ready to start taking off at any moment from now,”he said.
He added that final logistics were being put in place to facilitate the departure of the team to Ogun State, saying, “As you can see, we are on the verge of concluding all necessary arrangements.
The commissioner,who admitted a few challenges in the course of preparation for the tournament, expressed optimistism about the state’s prospects at the festival, describing the athletes’ spirit as high and their determination unshaken.
Gulbin-Boka extended appreciation to sports enthusiasts, philanthropists, and stakeholders, including the SWAN family, for their unwavering support and contributions to the development of sports in the state.
“We are not just participating; we are going to compete, to win, and to make Niger State proud,” he assured.
Some of the sports stakeholders present at the occasion, commended the state government for its preparation for the festival.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
